Quick Links

Internships

Students who major in a Writing Studies program benefit enormously from internships. Through the Department of Writing Studies, students may earn credit for internships in Information Design, Journalism, and Professional Writing.

Eligibility for earning credit for internships

Generally, students engaged in an internship for credit must:

have completed 60 credits including two or more courses related to their field,

hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and

have contacted and filed materials with Department of Writing Studies Internship Coordinator John Hatcher (jhatcher@d.umn.edu).

Eligibility differs somewhat for different types of internships. Under some circumstances the Department of Writing Studies or a faculty member may waive one or more of the eligibility requirements. Keep in mind that the eligibility and completion requirements for internships apply only to those internships for which students earn credit; a student who chooses to not earn credit for an internship may still wish to list the experience on his or her resume.

Finding out about internships

Department of Writing Studies faculty and administrators are regularly informed of businesses and organizations in this community and others that are looking for interns. When we receive new information about an internship, we often communicate that information through e-mail to all students enrolled in the department's majors and minors.

Students may learn of internship opportunities through their own connections and networking, especially when opportunities exist in other parts of Minnesota or across the U.S. No matter what the source of information about a potential internship, students must visit with the Internship Coordinator and create a file if they hope to earn credit.

Creating a file

Students seeking an internship for credit should visit briefly with the Internship Coordinator. Students who want to earn credit for an internship must file the following materials, either in hard copy or by creating an online portfolio to share:

Student's resume

Unofficial copy of student's transcript

A brief listing of learning objectives for the internship: What new skills do you hope to learn? How can this internship help you professionally? How could it help you personally?

Three academic or published writing samples

Applying for an internship

Once you have filed required materials with the Writing Studies Department, go ahead and contact the person specified in information about the internship. That person may ask to see writing samples ahead of time, or you may be able to schedule an interview immediately. Remember at all points in the process that this is no different from applying for a job, and all of the conventions apply:

Dress professionally: shirt and tie for men, professional outfit such as skirt or slacks and blouse for women

Prepare for challenging questions: It's common now for interviewers to ask about "difficult assignments and how you handled them," or "how you work with difficult people." Having a small arsenal of responses to those kinds of questions can help you in the interview.

Smile, speak articulately, and make eye contact.

Don't de-rail your chances by non-professional behavior: Interview behaviors such as drinking from a liter bottle, looking distractedly out the window, chewing gum etc. can leave a big, and negative, impression on an employer.

Registering for credits for your internship

Once you have secured the internship, you will need to register for credits, just as you register for any other course at UMD. You should print a copy of the Placement Agreement and work with your supervisor at the internship site to fill it out. That's important because the Placement Agreement

lists the dates and number of hours of the internship,

lists specific duties you will perform, and

will be signed by your supervisor, you, and the department head.

Once you and your employer have signed a Placement Agreement, take it to the Internship Coordinator, who will give you a number to register for credits, based on the following:

1 credit = 3 hours/week for 15 weeks OR 45 hours total

2 credits = 6 hours/week for 15 weeks, or 90 hours total

3 credits = 9 hours/week for 15 weeks or 135 hours total

You must be registered for the internship at the time you execute it. That is, you cannot decide that you would like to register for and earn credits for an internship after you have completed it. If your internship will not coincide with a regular academic term, discuss with the Internship Coordinator well in advance how registration should be handled.

During your internship

Halfway through your internship, ask your supervisor to fill out the Mid-term Evaluation, and see that it is forwarded to the Internship Coordinator.

Completing your internship

At the end of your internship, ask your supervisor to fill out the Final Evaluation, and see that it is forwarded to the Internship Coordinator.

In addition, before you earn a grade (Pass or Fail) for your internship, you will need to forward to the Internship Coordinator clips of your work (at least three), as well as an essay in which you reflect upon your internship. It should be 4-5 pages long, covering the following:

What you learned from the job, very specifically, including technical skills, leadership skills, and personal skills

The strengths and weaknesses you had when you started the internship, and when you finished the internship

How you contributed to the company or organization during your internship

What new ideas you have about your future career as a direct result of the internship

How you feel the company helps interns have a good experience, or how the company might have improved your learning experience

Once these materials have been reviewed, the Internship Coordinator will post your grade.

Eligibility for internships:

To be eligible for an internship in Information Design, you must have:

completed 60 hours of course work

completed WRIT 1120 (College Writing) or equivalent

completed (or be in the process of completing) other courses specified by program faculty

earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0

be recommended for an internship by the program head and Information Design faculty

To be eligible for an internship in Journalism, you must have:

completed 60 hours of course work

completed WRIT 1120 or equivalent

completed (or be in the process of completing) at least one 3000-level Advanced Writing class

completed Journalism 2001 (Reporting and Writing I)

completed Journalism 3700 (Media Law and Ethics)

earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the two WRIT classes

To be eligible for an internship in Professional Writing, you must have:

completed 60 hours of course work

completed WRIT 1120 (College Writing) or equivalent

completed (or be in the process of completing) at least one 3000-level Advanced Writing class

earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the two WRIT classes

Internship Opportunities for Writing Studies Students

Internship opportunities listed below may be currently open and represent opportunities for students immediately, or the employer/site may be regularly seeking interns for an upcoming academic term. In all cases, a dated notation following the posting provides that information.

The successful intern will need to be comfortable creating in a digital world, juggling different types of projects, and working in a collegial, collaborative environment.

Agency Description:

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council awards grants to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota. ARAC is one of eleven Regional Arts Councils in Minnesota. Its mission is to "facilitate and encourage local arts development."

Note: This is a new internship opportunity for UMD Writing studies students in 2012. Posted November 2011.

Lake Superior Magazine

Contact:

Konnie LeMay, editor

kon@lakesuperior.com

218-722-5002

Job Description:

Your internship at Lake Superior Magazine will introduce you to the publishing business and you will experience everything from planning to production and marketing. Opportunities for writing may include reviews and short articles for the magazine and the Web site. The successful intern working onsite at Lake Superior Magazine will be interested in learning about the publishing of a bimonthly magazine, and will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. The full experience will reflect the intern's skill level and will include shadowing or interviewing in each of the departments--publisher, advertising, marketing, customer service, and circulation--to give a complete picture of the business. Lake Superior Magazine will accept at least one intern each semester, generally for 20 hours a week.

Business description:

Lake Superior Magazine, a family-owned publication, is published for the audience that resides in and visits the region surrounding Lake Superior, including Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It balances need-to-know and want-to-know solid journalism with lighter lifestyle, recreational, profile, and travel articles.

Note: To apply for an internship, please send your work and education resume, several published clippings or photographs, and a cover letter outlining your goals and available starting date. Posted November 2011.

UMD Office of External Affairs

315 Darland Administration Building

Contact:

Cheryl Reitan, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Marketing

creitan@d.umn.edu

218-726-8996

Job Description:

Cheryl Reitan directs the work of writing interns who are assigned to

Research and write articles for publication in "Currents," the faculty-staff newsletter

Research and write articles for publication in the "BRIDGE," the alumni magazine

Assist with University advertising and publications including brochures, newsletters, and fliers

Interns are encouraged to work on a regular schedule throughout the semester and to have the opportunity to participate in day-to-day activities associated with UMD's presence in the media. Successful interns are fast and prolific writers who are able to write stories for multiple audiences.

Program/Unit Description:

External Affairs provides information to internal and external audiences and contact with the media in order to support the University while fostering a relationship of goodwill and understanding with UMD alumni, the community, and beyond. The UMD Office of External Affairs is responsible for producing a number of official communications pieces for the campus and for providing professional advice to departments.

WDSE*WRPT

632 Niagara Court *(UMD Campus)

Contact:

Karen Sunderman, Producer/Writer

ksunderman@wdse.org

218-788-2821

Job Description: Karen Sunderman is seeking students who may be interested in internships for credit in marketing and in production of WDSE-WRPT's arts program, "The PlayList" (www.theplaylistonline.org). These positions are on campus and are ideal for someone seeking experience developing a social networking/brand building startegy. Successful candidates will be able to assess and meet the needs of the arts community/audience, possess good writing skills, work creatively and independently, and pay close attention to detail.